This information is taken from Musser and Carleton (2005). This taxon is considered to be a valid species, and it was reviewed by Harrison and Bates (1991) and Pavlinov et al. (1990). Volobouev et al. (1995) analyzed R- and C-banding of chromosomes from G. poecilops, G. nanus, and G. henleyi and concluded that all three were derived from the same ancestor. Furthermore, G. poecilops is the most plesiomorphic and appears to be a "living fossil" isolated in the coastal mountain ranges of the Red Sea in Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

This species is endemic to the coastal mountain ranges of the Red Sea and the westernmost part of the Gulf of Aden in western and southern Yemen and in southwestern Saudi Arabia (Harrison and Bates 1991).

This heavily built gerbil prefers sandy areas near villages, stores and cultivated areas. It appears to be less adapted to arid areas than most of its counterparts. Breeding is thought to occur throughout the year, the peak seasons being autumn and winter. Little is known of its biology.